Shooting In Dramatic Lighting

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For those of us who haven't quite mastered using flash in their photos, don't like the use of flash in their photos, or is in a situation where flash isn't allowed, there's always the option of using high ISO film and a tripod for sharp, shake-free shots. And then what? Well, there are techniques that you can try if you're feeling a bit bold and creative. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind!

Credits: wil6ka

Facing The Light

The easiest and most effective tip is to take advantage of the available light that you have. Have your subject close to that bright source, and if it's still too dark for your taste, using a reflector should do the trick. If you don't have one, a piece of white paper or board should help bounce some light off to your subject.

Credits: binkanatdila, grazie, imyourman & xsara

In The Dark

If you have a high ISO film of 800, don't even bother with reflectors. Use the hovering shadows to frame your subject like a vignette. It's a bit of a gamble, but trust your film and that sliver of lighting, keep your fingers crossed, and hope for the best!

Credits: t0m7, ellie97, b0rn2b1ush & alberto_bastianon

Artistic Still-Life

Approach your still-life subject from different angles. Take a cue from Lomographer @grazie and see how light and shadows give you different perspectives and artistic distortions, just by shooting from various positions.

Credits: grazie

Soft Silhouettes

A combination of limited lighting, slow film, and shaky hands is a recipe for a blurry disaster ... unless, of course, you choose to look at it creatively. Play with shadows and go intentionally blurry for dream-like results.

Credits: blueskyandhardrock, bloomchen, koduckgirl & why-yu

Any tips you'd like to share? Post them in the comments box!

2019-08-21

3 Comments

  1. koduckgirl
    koduckgirl ·

    Wow nice shots and thanx for picking one of mine

  2. crismiranda
    crismiranda ·

    Superb shots!

  3. paulrnzpn
    paulrnzpn ·

    Good tips.

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